大象传媒

Harold paraded at Victoria Park with so many of the Dunkirk Veterans then was re-assigned. After re-training and re-equipping he was shipped to North Africa and from there he took part in the hard and hazardous Italian Campaign.

The initial landings took place on Crete, with American Forces and British Forces competing with each other to get to the Northern part of the Island first.

Much stubborn ressistance was encountered even though the Italians had agreed by prior negotiation to only give token resistance. Even the Italian Mafia had contributed to the planning and intelligence.

The Germans however were as efficient as ever and soon moved to strengthen the defence of Italy. Many times they took the Allies by surprise to inflict many casualties. It was seen as the soft under-belly of Hitlers Kingdom and if the Campaign was really successful, then all well and good, but even this large strategic manoeuvre was just a feint for the real action plan of landing in Normandy.

The Germans took up really strong defensive positions amongst the strong spine of Italian Mountains. Many times Allied units were so overwhelmed with casualties, that some had to be dis-banded, re-grouped and re-assigned. Amongst this turmoil Harold played his part with his friends , eventually he returned to Blighty and became a printer after the War. Always happy and jolly and seemed to always enjoy life.
I suppose anyone would after all that!

This story was submitted to the 鈥淧eoples War Site by Rod Aldwinckle of the CSV Action Desk on behalf of Harold Aldwinckle and has been added to the site with his permission. The author fully understands the terms and conditions of the site.

漏 Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.